Reinforcing U.S. Commitment to Multilateralism at G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting

"The only way we're going to meet global threats is by working together, and with our partners and our allies… the United States is going to do our part.  America is back at the table."

- President Joseph R. Biden, June 13, 2021

Secretary Blinken travels to Bari and Matera, Italy, June 28-29, to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where he will reinforce the United States' commitment to strong coordination with partners and allies to address global challenges, including combating the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening global health security, supporting democracy and human rights, addressing the climate crisis, preventing famine and acute food insecurity, and fostering a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.  The G20 foreign ministers will also discuss supporting inclusive economic development and prosperity in Africa.

The G20: An Important Forum for International Economic Policy Coordination

• As an important forum for international economic policy coordination, the G20 enables the United States to engage directly with the world's largest advanced and emerging economies to promote our interests and meet global challenges.  G20 members account for more than 80 percent of global gross domestic product, three-quarters of global trade, and two-thirds of the world's population.  The agenda of the G20 has broadened since the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the first meeting of G20 Leaders to include political and social issues that intersect with economic interests.
• Italy, which currently holds the G20 presidency, is hosting the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting from June 28-29 in Bari and Matera, Italy.  The meeting will be the first opportunity for G20 foreign ministers to come together in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began.  The United States strongly supports Italy's G20 priorities of combating the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling the climate crisis, and promoting economic recovery.
• Secretary Blinken will engage with his counterparts from G20 member states, including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.  Spain is expected to participate as a permanent guest.

Reinforcing the United States Commitment to Multilateralism at the G20

• Multilateralism is our best tool for tackling global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, global health security, the climate crisis; and preventing famine and food insecurity, responding to democratic backsliding and rising autocracy, and building a sustainable economic recovery.  The United States is committed to supporting effective and accountable multilateral institutions.  We work closely with our multilateral partners to ensure accountability for results, at both the activity and institutional levels.
• A multilateral vision for advancing the rules-based international order must be based on international law and support for democracy and human rights.  We will advance peaceful, just, and inclusive societies by defending media freedom; preserving a free and open internet; combatting corruption; tackling disinformation; protecting civic space; and promoting the human rights of all people.  We commit to advancing these core interests in a free and just world, and we will call on other member states to do the same.
• The United States is leading the multilateral response to the COVID-19 pandemic, donating $2 billion to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, to support the procurement and equitable distribution of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to 92 low- and middle-income economies through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC). The United States has also committed to share 80 million surplus vaccines (with the majority through COVAX), and to provide 500 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Gavi for distribution by COVAX to AMC economies and to African Union members. As evident at the recent G7 Summit, we continue to take concrete and tangible steps to drive action to end this pandemic and prevent the next, and we will call on the broader G20 to join us.
• On climate change, Secretary Blinken will build on President Biden's actions convening the Leaders Summit on Climate and re-convening the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate.  The United States will rally the world's democracies to meet one of the greatest global challenges by encouraging G20 members to work together toward ambitious G20 outcomes, including by seeking commitments to keep 1.5°C within reach, to submit enhanced 2030 targets aligned with this goal, and take other important steps to address the climate crisis such as committing to end overseas public coal finance.
• In support of building a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery, the United States urges all creditors to fully and transparently implement the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments to avoid delays that can prolong debt overhangs and exacerbate growth shocks, and urges all members of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework process to join consensus in ending the race to the bottom and building a global tax system that is equitable and equipped to meet the needs of the 21st century global economy.

Supporting Inclusive Economic Development & Prosperity in Africa by Building Back Better

• Before the pandemic, Africa had some of the fastest-growing economies in the world.  The United States supports getting African economies growing again and building them back better and more resilient. Increased economic engagement between the United States and Africa will strengthen economic ties and boost shared prosperity for Africa and the United States.
• The United States will partner with African governments, multilateral organizations, and the private sector to substantially increase two-way trade and investment with African countries in order to drive democratic, sustainable, climate-friendly and equitable growth, and to create quality jobs for people in Africa and the United States. This includes supporting efforts to increase energy access, which underpins economic growth.
• The United States recognizes that African countries are already facing the worst impacts of climate change and will continue efforts to strengthen resilience to climate impacts while building stronger economies.
• The United States will continue to engage with G20 and other international partners to address humanitarian and human rights challenges in Africa, especially the conflict-induced famine and ongoing abuses and atrocities in Ethiopia.